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Heat wave will ripple through week

High temperatures aren't expected to fall from the mid 90s this week after Tuesday marked the official start of a heat wave.

By BRANDIE KESSLER Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
07/17/2013 07:09:18 AM EDT

What started as a car washing ended in a water battle between the Anzalone brothers in front of their Spring Garden Township home on June 25. Nicholas, 14, rear, gets a temporary advantage over his brothers Dominic, left, 8, and Michael, 12, as the trio beat the heat while cleaning their parents' cars. (DAILY RECORD - JASON PLOTKIN)

York, PA -

It's hot.

Don't expect that to change for the next few days, since high temperatures won't drop from the 90s until at least the weekend, according to Kevin Fitzgerald, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

"There's a big area of high pressure over us," he said. That means high temperatures and high humidity, with little chance of thunderstorms that might otherwise cool things off, even temporarily.

"Expect daily highs in the mid 90s," Fitzgerald said.

He noted Tuesday marked the official start of a heat wave, defined as three consecutive days with a high temperature of at least 90 degrees.

Although it might feel hotter than normal to some, Fitzgerald said hot spells are not uncommon.

"Every summer you'll get stretches where the highs are in the 90s," he said. "It's normal to have stretches of above normal temperatures."

What might make the hot days hotter this week is that the lows aren't as low as they were.

"It's the middle of July, the normal (low temperature) is 67," he said. Monday night the low temperature was 72. That means things aren't cooling down -- and the overnight relief isn't as relieving -- when the highs are higher.

Fitzgerald explained that temperatures vary from areas where there is more concrete, say in the City of York, compared to more rural areas that have less concrete and macadam.

And the high temperature Tuesday was 93, recorded in Harrisburg at 3:45 p.m.

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Around that time, Danari Virella, of York, took her three children to Lincoln Park along Roosevelt Avenue, Fahs and Lincoln streets.

"I like it like this," she said, sitting on a park bench in the shade with her sister, Maria Gastelum. "This is the only park I've been to that has shade the whole way around."

Virella said she brought her children, ages 4, 6 and 8, to the park on Monday, too. They brought a cooler filled with ice and juice to cool off after running around. Tuesday, the children were going to get a special treat after they finished playing.

"We're going to go to Turkey Hill and get slushies," Virella said.

She noted that while it was hot out, it wasn't so bad in the shade.

"And it could be worse," her sister said. "It would be worse if it was more humid."

Tom Snyder, 23, of York, was playing basketball with Marquise McClean, 12, on the court along Roosevelt Avenue, where there was no shade.

They said it wasn't that hot out, especially if they had water to stay hydrated.

"I bring a half gallon of iced tea," Marquise said.

And, looking at the bright side, Snyder said, "You can't play outside when it's cold. I'd rather it be hot than cold."

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Cooling centers open

--- The Salvation Army will operate a cooling center from 1 to 4 p.m. through Thursday at 114 S. Duke St. in York.

--- Senior centers around the county will offer extended hours this week for those 60 and older seeking relief from the heat. Here is a list of locations and hours of operation:

--- Carroll Township Municipal Building: 555 Chestnut Grove Road. Residents of Northern York School District who are able to travel to this facility can seek relief from the heat from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. now through Friday. Air conditioning and restroom facilities will be open. Free water will be offered while supplies last. No child care or medical treatment of any type will be available. Tables and chairs will be set up and power for personal electronic devices will be offered but limited. Visitors should provide their own food and entertainment. The capacity of this facility is 35 people. Therefore, space will be available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, contact the township office at 717-432-4951.

--- Delta Senior Center: Open until 7 p.m. if needed Monday through Thursday, and until 5 p.m. on Friday.

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